Taking personal 'inventory'

We all get caught up with the day-to-day activities of our jobs and of course, the busyness of a little thing called LIFE. Because of this, we often forget to take the time needed to "self-evaluate" or do "personal inventory" as leaders or managers in both our professional and personal lives to see what type of progress we're making; change we're helping to create; or impact we're having.

Once in a while, taking stock of what you know; what you need to know; and reaching out to those resources/people around you who can help you "grow" as a person/leader is very rewarding.

One of those enriching-type of "self-evalution"events I am happy to attend every year is Leadercast which is a live leadership event held every May in Atlanta, Georgia. It is also offered via live telecast to over 1,500 cities/towns around the world in 22 countries. The one-day event aims to "facilitate the largest convergence of leaders in the world by creating an epic leadership experience."

This year's line-up of speakers did not disappoint and all revolved their messages around the 2014 theme of "Beyond You" Leadership. Below, I provide 2 key take-aways from each speaker that spoke at the recent event on May 9th. My hopes is that you will take some of these profound messages away like I did and begin to subtly and surely implement these in your everyday life. Personally, a take-away message from Malcolm Gladwell that resonated with me the most of course from The Passionate Voice perspective is this following quote:

Andy Stanley, Author and Speaker

• The power of saying "You Decide" as a Leader/Manager is extremely empowering to those around you. Say it to your employees; empower them; and back them up!
• If leadership isn't all about you, it will live beyond you. 

Dr. Henry Cloud, Psychologist and Speaker

• As a leader, you are like a "boat" that leaves a wake. The wake, a pattern generated by a boat, is two-sided and in leadership your wake is two-sided as well. Its all about: results and influence.
• People are always judging you (as a leader) if they are for you or against you (its just human nature to do this). Make sure people understand you so they can accurately decide that they are for you and your cause/vision as a leader.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Winner & Human Rights Activist

• Leaders should remember to be accountable so they don't abuse their power in making decisions.
• Great leaders think of generations to come and what impact they'll leave as a footprint.

Laura Schroff, Former Advertising Executive & Best-Selling Author

• Trust forms very strong bonds. Trust others and they will trust you back. This is the basis of good leadership.
• While we all like to be planned, leave room to be open for chance opportunities and meetings.

Malcolm Gladwell, Author and Speaker

• People will submit to authority if it is: Legitimate, Fair and Respectful.
• Effective leaders know its not about what you say, its how you say it!

Randall Wallace, Screenwriter, Director, Producer

• When you can think of something greater than yourself and don't worry about the outcome, then you've captured the essence of leadership.
• Giving to a stranger is an extremely powerful thing. Ask yourself- how do you give and to whom do you give too both in your professional and personal life.

Bill McDermott, CEO of SAP AG

• Purpose matters more than ever before. People want to follow purpose.
• Instead of a Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG).. have a Big Hairy Audacious DREAM!

Simon Sinek, Leadership Expert, Author & TED Speaker

• Leadership is like exercise- you can look everyday in the mirror and not see change but over time, you will notice the difference and see the change!
• Leadership is like filling up the coffee pot in the lunch room- when the coffee pot is empty and no one is looking, you can walk away and not refill the pot. Or, without anyone knowing, you can refill the coffee pot without recognition because you know its good for everyone.

I trust you enjoyed these as much as I did when I first heard them!

10 Career Lessons from an Aggie

In my world during my academic years, I was one of many "Aggies" at the University of Guelph. "Aggie" refers to students who are studying Agriculture at University. Being an "Aggie" and being a part of a larger family at the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) was something I was extremely proud of and I still remain actively involved as an alumnus.

Last year I was honoured to be the Guest Speaker at the 2013 OAC Goodtimes Banquet which takes place annually every January. I remember feeling humbled and proud to return to an event that I attended just a few short years ago, but this time in a different capacity. As the person who could help share insight and thoughts to those students who soon will be graduating.

It is one year ago today that I shared my thoughts with the large audience and I thought today it would be fitting to share my speech in hopes to inspire any other twenty-somethings out there who are on their road to discovering what their true passion is with 10 helpful career lessons that I have learned since graduating.

10 Career Lessons from an Aggie (for Aggies)

10. Be a Sponge. Like a sponge, soak up everything around you. Take it all in: learn and grow!

9. Work for free. Some of the best real-life experiences (and maybe been potential job opportunities!) will come from times when you offered your services for free. You do get noticed!  

8. Leverage your resources-- get mentors. Seek out people who you aspire to be professionally and personally and don't be afraid to reach out and ask them how they go to where they are. They'll be happy to share.

7. There is no excuse to NOT network. There are simply no excuses to not network now that everyone is so well connected through online mediums and social media.

6. Roll with the punches. The best learning experiences you will have will be when $hit goes wrong and was unexpected/unplanned. People (including yourself!) get to truly know who you are as a person when you're under pressure.

5. Know who you are to give your best self. It makes everything easier when you know what your core values and beliefs are. These are the foundation to everything you do. Be strong in what you believe in and select a job that aligns with these.

4. Don't be a cookie cutter. The world would be a boring place if we all did/said the same thing. Stand out and don't be afraid to stand out to be different.

3. You can do anything, but you can't do everything. A tough life lesson to learn but true. At some point in time, you must choose what your "niche" or "passion"  is and once you do, run with it!

2. Live your passion. Love your passion. Be a passion. Share your passion. Relating to #2, once you find what you are best at and what you love to do, make a career out of it and become the expert in that field.

1. Always be an agricultural advocate everywhere you go. No matter where you go or what job you pursue and whether it is in agriculture or not, always take your ag roots with you and wear them with pride. We owe it to give back to the industry that gives us so much as Aggies!

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